Cantilevered transfer support for wheelchairs and wheelchair incorporating the same



Dec. 23, 1969 E. A. PETERSEN CANTILEVERED TRANSFER SUPPORT FORWHEELCHAIRS AND WHEELCHAIR INCORPORATING THE SAME Flled Dec 18 1967INVENTOR. Ears 44w A. PE TE/QSAEN flrrwQ/vamg -(4qgllllllla 22 UnitedStates Patent 3,484,877 CANTILEVERED TRANSFER SUPPORT FOR WHEELCHAIRSAND WHEELCHAIR IN- CORPORATING THE SAME Edward A. Petersen, 13761 /zLocust, Westminster, Calif. 92683 Filed Dec. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 691,458Int. Cl. A61g 5/00, 7/10 US. Cl. 5-86 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A transfer support which permits a paraplegic to move from awheelchair into a bed, automobile, etc. The support comprises a boardhaving a leg which is mounted in the front socket for the armrest of thewheelchair. The board is also supported upon a drive Wheel of thewheelchair, which serves not only to complete the mounting of the boardbut also to lock such drive Wheel against rotation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This inventionrelates to the art of wheelchairs, and more particularly to the art ofdevices for permitting paraplegics and certain types of quadriplegics totransfer themselves between wheelchairs and automobiles, beds, and thelike.

Description of the prior art The most pertinent construction known toapplicant is a bridge board which is presently on the market and isadapted to bridge the gap between a wheelchair and a car seat, bed, etc.Such bridge board is, however, characterized by numerous deficienciessome of which are as follows:

(a) It is hingedly or pivotally related to the wheelchair by means of agenerally U-shaped mounting bracket the legs of which rest in both thefront and rear armrest sockets of the chair. Since the relationship ispivotal, the board may not be used unless the distal end thereof isactually resting upon the horizontal upper surface of a car seat, bed,etc. Accordingly, the bridge board must extend a substantial distancefrom the wheelchair and must lap a substantial distance over the carseat or other surface to which the user is attempting to transferhimself. Because of the overlapping relationship, the user must move amajor distance away from the wheelchair before he is no longer supportedupon the bridge board. Such substantial distance makes it difficult tocomplete the transfer, difi'icult to demount the bridge board after thetransfer, and difficult to manipulate the wheelchair (as by folding itup and placing it in the rear seat of an automobile) after the transfer.

(b) Another major disadvantage of the overlapping, pivotally-mountedbridge board is that it is diflicult or impossible for the user tomanipulate himself onto a surface which is substantially higher than theupper surface of the wheelchair seat. When the bridge board is restingupon a surface which is substantially higher than the wheelchair seat,the bridge board is inclined at a considerable angle to the horizontal.This slide or chute relationship makes it difiicult or impossible formany users to make the transfer from a wheelchair to certain types ofcar seats, beds, etc.

(c) Wheelchairs are conventionally equipped with wheel looks, but it mayoccur that the user forgets to lock the wheels of the chair prior toattempting transfer from wheelchair to a car seat or vice versa. Whensuch event occurs, all wheels of the wheelchair are completely 3,484,877Patented Dec. 23, 1969 free to move, Which maximizes the likelihood ofmovement of the chair and consequent falling of the user into the spacebetween the chair and the object onto which he is attempting to transferhimself. The indicated presently-marketed construction makes noprovision for insuring that at least one drive wheel of the chair islocked during transfer.

(d) The user may, for example, wish to leave the automobile on theopposite side from that through which he entered the same. With theindicated bridge board construction, this cannot be done unless certaintroublesome adjustments are made. It therefore follows that, as apractical matter, the user is obliged to enter and leave the automobileon the same side at all times.

(e) Each user of a wheelchair has an individualized set of requirements,which may necessitate different size boards, different board elevations,etc. Furthermore, there are several different sizes of chairs, which areknown as junior chairs, senior chairs, etc. With the indicated presently-marketed device, it is difiicult or excessively expensive tomarket boards meeting the individualized requirements of various usersand various types of chairs. This is because the above-indicatedU-shaped mounting bracket and/or the associated hinge means, must bealtered in order to change the elevation of the board, in order to adaptthe board for mounting on different types of chairs wherein the frontand rear armrest sockets are spaced different distances apart, etc. I

(f) Because the indicated presently-marketed construc tion requires theuse of both front and rear sockets in order to support the bridge board,it is difficult for the user to remove the bridge board after he hastransferred himself into an automobile, etc. It is also diflicult tore,- mount the bridge board on the wheelchair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a highly simplemanner of removably cantilevering a transfer board at one side of thewheelchair while at the same time automatically locking the adjacentmain drive wheel of the chair. It is characterized by the following, andother, advantages in comparison to the above-indicated and otherconstructions:

(a) Because the transfer board is cantilevered, the distal edge thereofis not supported upon the upper surface of the bed or car seat, etc.,but instead is independently supported by the wheelchair and is broughtinto close abutment with the vertical face at the edge of the bed or carseat. Thus, for example, when the user is making a transfer fromwheelchair to car seat, he can support himself on the car seat afteronly a very minimum movement away from the wheelchair which movement iseffected with minimum ease. Since the user is then sitting on the carseat, etc., at the extreme seat edge adjacent the chair, it is verysimple for the user to remove the transfer board from the wheelchair,and thereafter fold the wheelchair and place it in the rear seat of theautomobile.

(b) Also because the transfer board is cantilevered, it is assured thatthe surface of the board will always be parallel to the surface of thewheelchair seat, instead of being inclined relative thereto. Thisproduces many major advantages one of which is that the user may, withperfect safety, and without danger of falling, breaking his legs, etc.,elevate himself onto a surface which is a substantial number of incheshigher than the upper surface of the wheelchair seat.

(0) One of the supporting elements. for the present transfer board is amain or drive wheel of the wheelchair. A locking relationship is thusautomatically created between the transfer board and such wheel, whichmakes it certain that such wheel is always locked during 3 use of thetransfer board. This reduces the likelihood that the inadvertent neglectto lock the wheels of the wheelchair will result in injury to the user.

(d) Because the present transfer board has only one leg and fits in onlythe front armrest socket of the wheelchair, the rear support for theboard being effected by the adjacent main wheel of the chair, it followsthat the same board may be utilized on either the right or left side ofthe wheelchair, without the necessity for making any adjustmentwhatsoever. Accordingly, the user may enter the left side of a car, forexample, and may leave through the right side thereof, without thenecessity for making any manipulations or adjustments of the transferboard.

(e) Because the present transfer board has only one leg, which leg issimply and economically manufactured in different lengths, both theelevation of the board and the size thereof may be readily adapted tothe requirements of a particular user, without increasing themanufacturing cost in any major respect.

(f) The single-leg construction of the present board makes itexceedingly simple for the user to remove the board from the wheelchairafter he has transferred him self into a car or onto a bed.correspondingly, mounting of the board onto the wheelchair is very easy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an isometric viewillustrating the transfer support of the invention, and the combinationtransfer support and wheelchair, in condition for a transfer of a userinto or out of the wheelchair;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1and illustrating the locking relationship between the transfer board andthe associated wheel;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view illustrating the transfer board of thepresent invention in inverted condition; and

FIGURE 4 illustrates the relationship between the wheelchair-transferboard and an associated bed, the latter having a surface which issubstantially higher than that of the seat of the wheelchair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present transfer support isadapted to be employed in combination with a wheelchair of the typehaving removable armrests or arms. Such a wheelchair is illustrated inFIGURE 1 as comprising a frame on which are mounted two main drivewheels 11 and two caster wheels 12, the latter being located in advanceof the drive wheels. Drive wheels 11 are large in diameter, the upperportions thereof extending a considerable distance above the seatportion 13 of the wheelchair, such seat portion being suitably supportedfrom frame 10.

Stated more definitely, frame 10 has vertical forward leg elements 14 towhich are fixedly secured, in vertical relationship, tubular forward orfront socket elements 15 for the removable armrests or arms 16 of thechair. Only one such armrest 16 is illustrated in the drawings, sincethe armrest on the side where it is desired to mount the transfersupport is removed prior to mounting thereof. There are correspondingsocket elements at the rear portion of the chair and which receive rearportions of the armrests 16, but these are not illustrated in thedrawings since they are not employed in the present invention.

The remaining portions of the chair comprise a conventional back 17,FIGURE 4, and also comprise leg supports or leg rest elements 18 whichextend forwardly from the frame 10. The drive wheels are provided withsuitable handrails 19 adapted to be grasped by the operator in order topropel the chair.

The transfer apparatus of the present invention comprises a board 22having a single leg 23 adapted to be inserted into the forward armrestsocket element 15 after removal of the armrest which is normally mountedtherein. Means 24 are provided to mount at least one corner of the board22 in supported and locking relationship relative to the adjacent drivewheel 11 of the wheelchair. In addition, means 25 are provided tosupport the board 22 in cantilevered relationship from leg 23, and tolimit the degree of insertion of the leg into the socket 15 in order toregulate the elevation of the board relative to seat portion 13 of thewheelchair.

The board 22 is illustrated as being generally square, for exampletwelve inches by twelve inches, but it is to be understood that theexact size is determined in large part by the characteristics of theindividual user. The board may be constructed of plywood, metal, etc.,and may be suitably padded and provided with a protective covering ofplastic or other material.

The dimension of the board 22 parallel to the normal direction of themovement of the wheelchair is sufficient that the board may support theuser after he has slid onto the board from the seat 13. The dimension ofthe board transverse to the normal direction of movement of thewheelchair is sufficient to permit support of the user as stated above,and also is sufficient to bridge the gap which is normally presentbetween the wheelchair and the front seat of an automobile, for example.

The leg 23 is fixedly connected at its upper end to one corner of board22, such corner being numbered 27 in FIGURE 1. The lower end of the leg23 is shaped for insertion into the front armrest socket 15, the amountof insertion being sufficient that the socket 15 will restrain the lowerleg end from pivoting about a horizontal axis when the weight of theuser is applied to the board 22.

The mounting and lock means 24 is provided on the same edge of the board22 as that on which the leg 23 is mounted. Preferably, there are twomounting and lock means 24 in order to permit the apparatus to beemployed on either side of the wheelchair. Thus, a mounting and lockmeans 24 is provided at each of the corners numbered 28 and 29 inFIGURES l-3.

Each of the illustrated mounting and lock means 24 comprises a mounted,recessed or notched portion 31 of the underside of board 22. Suchportion 31 is shaped to nest or seat over the tire 20 of each drivewheel 11. It follows that, when the user is supported on board 22, thedownward pressure present at the interface between notched portion 31and tire 20 will lock the wheel 11 against rotation. It will also insurethat the board 22 does not pivot about a vertical axis through leg 23and socket 15.

To provide further assurance against pivotal movement of the board 22about a vertical axis through leg 23, the illustrated mounting and lockmeans 24 additionally comprises a generally bifurcated or U-shaped clip32 the arms of which are shaped to fit resiliently over opposite sidesof tire 20. Each clip 32 is aligned with the associated routed region ornotch 31, the relationship being such that when the clip is pusheddownwardly over tire 20 the notched portion 31 will seat upon such tire.A suitable mark or indication, not shown, is provided on the uppersurface of board 22 immediately above the center of clip 32 in order toindicate to the user when the clip is positioned directly over the tire20.

It is pointed out that comers 27 and 29 are at opposite ends of one edge33 of the board 22, whereas the corners 27 and 28 are at opposite endsof an adjacent edge 34 of the board.

Proceeding next to a description of support means 25, this comprisesthree braces or struts 3638 which extend, respectively, from the leg 23to the three corners of the board which are remote from such leg. Morespecifically, each brace or strut 3638 is welded or otherwise suitablyconnected to a collar 39 which, in turn, is welded or otherwise fixedlyassociated with leg 23 at a region spaced from the end of such leg andalso from the base thereof.

In the illustrated construction, an angle brace 41 is fixedly secured,for example by means of suitable screws, to the underside of board 22along edges 33 and 34 thereof. Struts 36 and 38 extend from collar 39 tothe ends of angle brace 41 which are adjacent the respective corners 29and 28. The remaining strut, number 37, extends from collar 39 to a footplate 42 which is secured by screws to the remaining corner, numbered43, of the board 22. The angle brace 41 further serves as a means foreffecting rigid mounting of the leg 23 to the board 22.

The collar 39 serves not only to anchor the struts 36- 38 but as a stopwhich limits the downward insertion of leg 23 into socket 15. Other stopmeans could be employed, for example at the bottom of socket 15.

OPERATION The apparatus will first be described in conjunction with itsuse in entering and leaving an automobile. Thereafter, and withreference to FIGURE 4, the apparatus will be described in conjunctionwith its use in getting onto a bed. It is pointed out that both of thechair arms 16 are normally in mounted positions in their respectivesockets.

The user, when he desires to enter the front seat of an automobile,opens the front door of the auto, and then positions the wheelchair sothat one side thereof (for example, the left side of the chair) isadjacent the front seat of the auto. The operator then removes the leftarmrest (not shown) and places it in the auto, normally in the rearseat. He then grasps the board 22 (which normally is stored in theautomobile), inserts the leg 23 in socket 15, and pushes down on corner28 to snap the associated clip 32 over the tire 20.

The positioning of the wheelchair is caused to be such that the edge ofboard 22 remote from seat 13 (denoted by the reference numeral 44 inFIGURE 1) is closely adjacent the front car seat at substantially thesame elevation as the upper surface of such seat. Edge 44 does notoverlap the car seat but instead is close to being in endwise abutmentrelative thereto.

The user then employs his arms to slide his torso into supportedrelationship on the board 22, the legs of the user then remaining on oneor both of the leg supports 18. He next employs his arms to move hislegs from the supports 18 into the automobile passenger compartmentforwardly of the front seat. After his legs are in proper position inthe vehicle, the user emplodys his arms to grasp the car seat (orsuitable supporting elements) and thereby shift his torso off the board22 and onto the portion of the front car seat which is immediatelyadjacent edge 44. As above indicated, it is a very important feature ofthe invention that the user need only move a short distance away fromthe wheelchair seat 13 before he is off the board 22 and sitting on theedge portion of the car seat.

Because the user is still close to the wheelchair, it is a simple matterfor him to use only one hand in grasping the board 22 and liftingupwardly thereon, so that the leg 23 moves out of the socket 15. Board22 is then placed in the rear seat of the vehicle, following which theremainder of the wheelchair is folded up by the user and also put in therear seat of the vehicle.

It is emphasized that the weight of the average user is supportedentirely by the board 22 during the transfer operation, not by thevehicle seat. However, in the case of very heavy individuals, weighingon the order of 200 pounds, the wheelchair may tend to tip over inresponse to the moment exerted downwardly on the board 22. Even then,however, the wheelchair may not tip over since the edge 44 of board 22engages the vertical edge surface at the end of the automobile seat.

As previously explained, the relationship between the elements 31-32 andtire 20 not only prevents pivoting of board 22 about a vertical axisthrough leg 23, but also locks the tire 20 and thus the entire drivewheel 11 of the wheelchair.

To leave the automobile and enter the wheelchair, the above procedure isreversed. It is, however, an important feature of the present inventionthat the user may, if desired, exit through the automobile door on theopposite side from that through which he entered. Thus, in the case ofthe above illustration, let it be assumed that the operator wishes toexit from the left side of the automobile whereas he entered through theright side thereof. To do this, the Wheelchair is first lifted out ofthe back seat and unfolded in a position adjacent the left side of thevehicle, following which an armrest 16 is mounted in position but on theopposite side of the wheelchair from that shown in FIGURE 1. The board22 is then mounted in position, but on the right side of the wheelchairinstead of on the left side. This is readily accomplished, without anyadjustment or manipulation of any means whatsoever, by merely causingthe corner 29 of board 22 to be over the right drive wheel of thewheelchair, such corner 29 being provided with mounting and lockingelements 31-32 which correspond to those utilized when board 22 is inthe position of FIGURE 1.

After the user has slid out onto the chair seat 13, he demounts theboard 22, places it in the vehicle, mounts the remaining armrest 16 inposition, and is ready to use the wheelchair.

Referring next to FIGURE 4, let it be assumed that the user wishes toraise himself onto a bed 45 the upper surface 46 of which is substantialdistance above, for example four or five inches, the upper surface ofchair seat 13. It is to be understood, however, that the same principleapplies to automobile seats which are higher than a chair seat or,conversely, are lower than a chair seat.

For such an operation, it is advantageous that transfer support beemployed which is so constructed that the upper surface of board 22 isseveral inches higher than the upper surface of seat 13. Thus, board 22acts as an intermediate stairstep or platform which is parallel to boththe seat 13 and the bed surface 46. There is no inclined slide or chuterelationship which makes it impossible for the average user tomanipulate himself.

Although the board 22 is then several inches above seat 13, the averageuser, for example by grasping suitable unshown apparatus associated withbed 45, can readily lift himself onto the board or stairstep 22. Once heis seated on the board 22, he grasps his legs with his arms and liftssuch legs onto the bed surface 46. After his legs are on the bedsurface, the user employs his arms to lift his torso onto the bedsurface 46. Because of the described operation, there is no substantialpossibility that the user will break his legs or will fall into thespace between the wheelchair and the bed. As described above, the edge44 is brought into close abutment with the vertical face of the mattressor other side portion of the bed 45.

It is an added feature of the invention that the board 22 servesadvantageously as a night stand, this being contrasted withconstructions in which the transfer element performs no useful functionafter the user is in bed.

It is emphasized that the present construction makes it extremely simpleto provide the board 22 at different elevations, and to provide boards22 of different widths. This may be accomplished by merely causing theleg 23 to be longer and by placing an extra collar (not shown) adjacentthe one indicated at 39. The added length of the leg 23, and the widthof the additional collar, are selected to raise the board 22 to thedesired elevation. In addition, the board is caused to be sufficientlywider that the corner 28 (or 29 as the case may be) will engage the tire20 as indicated in FIGURE 2, despite the fact that a portion of the tiremore remote from the supporting surface is contacted. In other words,the length of the leg (between board and collar) is correlated to thewidth of the board in such manner that collar 39 is seated on socket atthe same time that notch 31 seats on tire 20.

The above may be done not only during construction, for example bymaking the board 22 overhang or cantilever from the angle brace 41 andfoot plate 42, but also after construction by providing suitable adaptermeans at the socket 15 (and/or leg 23') and at the corners 28 and 29. Insimilar manner, the board 22 may be lowered to a position below theupper surface of the chair seat 13.

It is emphasized that the present transfer board may be used not only byparaplegics but by certain types of quadriplegics, for example thosehaving use of their arms but not their hands.

It should be further noted that paraplegics and quadriplegicsfrequentlyhave very poor senses of balance, making it important that it bepossible to disassemble the unit with only one hand and without leaningan excessive distance outwardly from the car seat.

I claim:

1. A cantilevered transfer support for use on a wheelchair of the typehaving removable armrests, which comprises:

a board adapted to support the user of the wheelchair,

said board having one edge adapted to be positioned adjacent one sideedge of the seat portion of the wheelchair whereby the user may readilytransfer himself from said seat portion onto said board,

said board also having another edge on the opposite side of said boardfrom said one edge thereof and adapted to be positioned adjacent avertical side face of a bed or seat whereby to permit the user totransfer himself from said board onto said bed or seat,

a leg mounted on said board at one end portion of said one edge thereofand adapted to be inserted into the front armrest socket of saidwheelchair,

said leg and socket being so shaped that said leg may rotate in saidsocket about a vertical axis, and

wheel-engaging means provided at the other end portion of said one edgefor mounting in supported relationship on the main drive wheel of saidwheelchair to the rear of said front armrest socket,

said wheel-engaging means including means to prevent said rotation ofsaid leg about said axis.

2. A cantilevered transfer support for use on a wheelchair of the typehaving removable armrests, which comprises:

a board adapted to support the user of the wheelchair,

said board having one edge adapted to be positioned adjacent one sideedge of the seat portion of the wheelchair whereby the user may readilytransfer himself from said seat portion onto said board,

said board also having another edge on the opposite side of said boardfrom said one edge thereof and adapted to be positioned adjacent avertical side face of a bed or seat whereby to permit the user totransfer himself from said board onto said bed or seat,

a leg mounted on said board at one end portion of said one edge thereofand adapted to be inserted into the front armrest socket of saidwheelchair, and

wheel-engaging means provided at the other end portion of said one edgefor mounting in supported relationship on the main drive wheel of saidwheelchair to the rear of said front armrest socket,

said wheel-engaging means seating on the tire portion of said main drivewheel and locking said wheel against rotation.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 2, in which said wheel-engagingmeans comprises a recessed portion of said board, said recessed portionbeing shaped to seat on the tire portion of said main drive wheel.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 2, in which said wheel-engagingmeans includes means shaped for mounting in straddling relationship overthe tire portion of said main drive wheel.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 2, in which said wheel-engagingmeans comprises a recessed portion of said board, said recessed portionbeing shaped to seat on the tire portion of said main drive wheel, saidwheel-engaging means also including means shaped for mounting instraddling relationship over the tire portion of said main drive wheel.

6. A cantilevered transfer support for use on a wheelchair of the typehaving removable armrests, which comprises:

a board adapted to support the user of the wheelchair,

said board having one edge adapted to be positioned adjacent one sideedge of the seat portion of the wheelchair whereby the user may readilytransfer himself from said seat portion onto said board,

said board also having another edge on the opposite side of said boardfrom said one edge thereof and adapted to be positioned adjacent avertical side face of a bed or seat whereby to permit the user totransfer himself from said board onto said bed or seat,

a leg mounted on said board at one end portion of said one edge thereofand adapted to be inserted into the front armrest socket of saidwheelchair,

stop means to limit the degree of insertion of said leg into saidsocket, and

wheel-engaging means provided at the other end portion of said one edgefor mounting in supported relationship 0n the main drive wheel of saidwheelchair to the rear of said front armrest socket,

said wheel-engaging means being so correlated tb said stop means thatsaid wheel-engaging means seats on the tire portion of said main drivewheel when said leg is inserted into said socket to the full extentpermitted by said stop means.

7. A combination transfer support and wheelchair, which comprises:

a wheelchair having a removable armrest on each side of the seatthereof,-

said armrests having support portions adapted to be inserted into frontsockets provided on said Wheelchair in advance of the main drive wheelsthereof,

said wheels being large in diameter and extending upwardly to elevationssubstantially above the elevations of said front sockets,

a board adapted to support the user of said wheelchair,

said board having one edge positioned adjacent one side edge of the seatportion of said wheelchair whereby the user may readily transfer himselffrom said seat portion onto said board, said board also having anotheredge on the opposite side of said board from said one edge thereof andadapted to be positioned adjacent a vertical side face of a bed or seatwhereby to permit the user to transfer himself from said board onto saidbed or seat,

a leg mounted on said board at one end portion of said one edge thereofand inserted into one of said front sockets of said wheelchair, and

wheel-engaging means provided at the other end portion of said one edgeand mounted in supported rela- 9 10 tionship on the main drive wheel ofsaid wheelchair to 3,344,445 10/ 1967 Crawford 5-81 X the rear of saidone front socket. 3,376,065 4/1968 Kernes 297-414 References CitedCASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Us CL XR3,329,978 7/1967 Porter et a1 5-81 3,341,864 9/1967 Wichmann 297--41 6 X297416, 429

